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Apply for a house of multiple occupation licence (HMO)

Next steps after you submit your HMO application

After you submit your application, we may contact you if there is anything missing.

If your application is complete, we'll send you an acknowledgement letter.

How long does a licence last?

Your HMO licence will normally be issued for 5 years from the application date. There may be a shorter licence period in some cases.

We'll arrange an inspection of your property

When we receive your application, we'll arrange an inspection of the property. This is to assess the condition and suitability of your property.

We'll issue you with a draft licence

Following our inspection, we will issue you with a draft licence called a Notice of Intention (NOI).

Consultation period

There will be a 21-day consultation period after we issue the NOI.

Object against licence conditions

If you don't agree with a licence condition, you can object (make a representation) against it. This must be done within the 21-day consultation period.

We will check the representation. Then we may amend the licence/conditions as requested or reject the representation.

We'll issue you with a full licence

If there are no grounds to refuse it, after the 21-day consultation, we will issue your HMO licence. You will receive a Notice to Grant (NOG).

You have a right of appeal

You have the right of appeal against conditions on the licence. This must be done within 28 days of the issue of the licence.

Displaying your licence

The HMO licence should be displayed in an easy to see, communal place in your property.

Renewing a licence

The licence holder or property manager must make sure that your licence is renewed.

You must tell us about any material changes to the property, such as:

  • redesign
  • changes in the type of occupation
  • changes in management/ownership